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Background:
Specific allergen
immunotherapy (SIT)
is the main
treatment modality
for achieving long-term
symptom relief in
perennial allergic
diseases.
Objective:
The aim of this
study was to
evaluate the effect
of 1 year of house
dust mite
immunotherapy on the
concentrations of 3
immunologic markers:
eosinophil cationic
protein (ECP),
nitric oxide (NO),
and monocyte
chemoattractant
protein 1 (MCP-1).
We also compared
theeffect on asthma
symptoms and
medication scores,
allergen-specific
bronchial challenge
test, and the skin
prick test.
Methods: A
total of 31 mite-allergic,
asthmatic children (age
range, 6-16 years)
were enrolled; 19
were treated with
SIT and 12 controls
who had refused SIT
received only drug
treatment. Effi cacy
was evaluated using
serum NO, ECP, and
MCP-1 levels, and
asthma symptom and
medication scores,
allergen-specific
bronchial challenge
test, and skin-prick
test. The results of
the tests were
compared at baseline
and after 1 year of
treatment.
Results:
Serum NO and ECP
levels decreased
signifi cantly in
the SIT group (P =
.01 and P = .018)
compared to baseline,
whereas control
group values
remained similar.
The serum MCP-1
level decreased
signifi cantly in
both the SIT and
control groups (P =
.009 and P = .041,
respectively). The
SIT group
experienced signifi
cant improvement in
asthma symptoms (P =
.001) and medication
scores (P = .001)
and skin reactivity
to Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus (P =
.020), whereas the
control group did
not. The results of
bronchial challenge
to D pteronyssinus
showed a similar
pattern at baseline
and after 1 year of
treatment in both
groups. The
tolerated allergen
concentration
increased in both
groups (P < .05).
Lung function tests,
total immunoglobulin
(Ig) E and specific
IgE to D
pteronyssinus and
Dermatophagoides
farinae did not
change after a year
of treatment in
either group.
Conclusion:
SIT with D
pteronyssinus
improves
immunological and
clinical parameters
in mite-allergic
asthmatic children
after 1 year of
treatment. The skin
prick test may be
used as a marker of
effi cacy of therapy.
Key words:
Specific allergen
immunotherapy.
Asthma. House dust
mite. Childhood.
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